Mechanical release



Feb. 26, 1963 F. w. JOHNSON 3,078,726

MECHANICAL RELEASE Filed Sept. 1, 1960 POWER SU PPLV INVENTOR. FREDERICK W. JOHNSON By 7 7% W ATTORNEY 3,078,726 MECHANICAL RELEASE Frederick W. Johnson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assignor to Coilins Radio Company, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Filed Sept. 1, 1960, Ser. No. 53,551 Claims. (Cl. 74-2) This invention relates in general to actuating means, and in particular to an apparatus for moving a relatively large mass in a short time.

In certain engineering applications it is at times desirable to move a relatively large mass in a short time. For example, when moving a switch contact from a first to a second position great speed might be required.

It is an object-of this invention, therefore, to provide a very fast acting mechanical mechanism. Another object of this invention is-to provide a positive fast acting switch mechanism with a relatively large mass which can be controlled.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision for an escape mechanism which allows stored energy to be controlled by a relatively small amount of power.

Further objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and claims when read in view of the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates the switching mechanism of this invention in use with a coaxial cable switch.

FIGURE 1 illustrates by way of example a switch designated generally as 1% and to which are connected three coaxial cables 11, 12 and 13. A movable contact 14 is attached to the center conductor of coaxial cable 13 and may be moved from a first position in engagement with the center conductor 16 of coaxial cable 11 to a second position in contact with the center conductor 17 of coaxial cable 12.

The switch case 18 is made of conducting material and the outer conductors of coaxial cables 11, 12 and 13 are connected to the switch case.

An actuating bar 19 extends through an opening formed in the switch housing 18 and is pivotally connected to the movable switch contact 14. The connection between the movable switch contact 14 and bar 19 is made so as to provide electrical insulation therebetween.

An opening 21 in the switch housing forms a first bearing for bar 19. Bar 19 has an enlarged portion 20 which passes between a pair of rollers 22 and 23 and into a cylinder 24. A disk 26 is connected to the end of bar 2% within the cylinder to provide a piston.

A supply of compressed air 27 is connected by means of valve 28 and conduits 29 and 31 to cylinder 24 on opposite sides of piston 26 so as to exert force on the bar 19 to either the right or left relative to FIGURE 1.

The roller 23 is mounted between a pair of plates 31 and 32 and is rotatably supported in slots 33 formed in the plates. The roller 22 is also rotatably supported between plates 31 and 32. A third roller 34 is mounted above roller 23 and is rotatably supported between plates 31 and 32.

A locking bar 36 extends between rollers 23 and 34 and is formed with a narrow portion 37 and an enlarged portion 38. A cam surface 39 is formed on the lower side of bar 36 and rides against roller 23. The locking bar is connected to a solenoid 41 which forms a bearing for one end thereof. The solenoid has electrical leads 42 and 43. Lead 43 is connected to a power supply 44 and the lead 42 is connected to a switch 46 which has one side connected to the power supply 44. A collar 47 is attached to locking bar 36 and compression springs 48 and 49 extend from collar 47 to the solenoid 41 to bias the locking bar away from the solenoid. The bar 3,078,726 Patented Feb. 26, 1953 20 has two notches 51 and 52 formed in its side into which roller 23 is received. A bracket 53 is carried by bar 19 and has a link 54 which is connected to valve 28 to actuate it.

In operation when the switch 46 is closed the solenoid 41 draws locking bar 36 to the right relative to FIGURE 1 which allows the roller 23 to move upwardly in slot 33 against the narrow portion 37 of the locking bar. This unlocks bar 19 which will be rapidly moved from a first to a second position due to the action of the compressed air in the cylinder 24. After the compressed air has moved the bar 19 from the first to the second position, the notch 52 will be in alignment with roller 23 and the springs 48 and 49 will force locking bar 36 to the left relative to thefigure and thus depress the roller 23 into notch 52. Switch'46 is a momentarily closed switch and merely stays closed for an instant. For a description of such a switch see United States Patent Number 2,809,261.

When the switch is to be actuated in the other direction compressed air will be supplied by valve 28through conduit 29 to the cylinder to move the bar to the right relative to the figure. When switch 46 is closed the solenoid will draw locking bar 36 to the right, thus bringing the thin portion 37 above roller 23 which allows it to be cammed upward due to the curvature of notch and bar 19 will rapidly move back to the first position. The switch 46 immediately opens and locking bar 36 will move to the left relative to FIGURE 1 and roller 23 will be urged into notch 51.

Thus, it is seen that by a relatively small amount of electrical power a large amount of mechanical power can be controlled. Mechanical power is produced by the compressed air and the electrical power is only sufficient to energize the solenoid and move the locking bar 36. This results in very positive and fast actuation. Movement of bar 19 also controls the valve 28. Since switch 46 is only momentarily closed oscillation of the system will not occur.

It is seen that this invention provides an improved electrical mechanical mechanism and although the invention has been described with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, it is not to be so limited, as changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for controlling the position of an actuating bar comprising a frame member, an actuating bar supported by said frame member for motion relative thereto, a source of energy connected to said actuating bar to bias it in one of two directions, a pair of notches formed in the actuating bar on the same side thereof, a detent sup-ported by the frame member and fitting within one of the notches when the actuating bar is in a first position and fitting within the other notch when the actuating bar is in a second position, a locking bar engageable with said detent and movable from a first position in which it holds the detent in one of the notches to a second position wherein the detent may freely move out of the notches of the actuating bar, and means for moving the locking bar from the first to the second position.

2. A locking mechanism comprising a frame member, an actuating bar movably supported by the frame member, a piston formed on one end of said actuating bar, a cylinder with said piston receivable therein, means for selectively applying pressure to the piston within said cylinder for moving said actuating bar, a pair of notches formed in the actuating bar on one side thereof, a detent supported by the frame member and movable transversely of the actuating bar, said detent fitting within one of the notches when the actuating bar is in a first position and fitting within the other notch when the actuating bar is in a second position, a locking bar in engagement with said detent and movable from a first position wherein said detent is free to move out of the first or other notch to a second position wherein the detent is positively held in the first notch to lock the actuating bar, and means for moving said locking bar from the first to the second position.

3. A locking mechanism comprising a frame member, an actuating bar attached to the frame member, a piston attached to the end of the actuating bar, a cylinder receiving the piston therein, means for selectively supplying pressure to opposite sides of the piston, a first roller supported by the frame member under the actuating bar and in engagement therewith, a pair of notches formed in the actuating bar on the side opposite the first roller, a second roller slidably supported by the frame member above the actuating bar, the second roller fitting in one of the notches of the actuating bar in a first position and in the other notch in a second position, alocking 20 bar supported by the frame to move parallel to the actuating bar and engageable with the second roller, a third roller attached to the frame member above the locking bar to engage its upper edge thereof and to prevent the locking bar from flexing away from the actuating bar, means for moving the locking bar longitudinally between the second and third rollers, said locking bar having a portion of reduced cross section which when between the second and third rollers allows the second roller to move upwardly out of the notches of one of the actuating bars.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for moving said locking bar comprises an electromagnet in series with a power supply and switch.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for selectively applying pressure to said cylinder comprises a reservoir of compressed gas, a pair of conduits extending from said cylinder, a valve connected to said conduits and said reservoir, and actuating means connected to said actuating bar and said valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 705,414 Love July 22, 1902 2,451,730 Greenlee Oct. 19, 1948 2,614,536 Livers Get. 21, 1952 2,683,194 Mathisen -4---" July 6, 1954 2,826,286 Boyce Mar. 11, 1958 

1. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE POSITION OF AN ACTUATING BAR COMPRISING A FRAME MEMBER, AN ACTUATING BAR SUPPORTED BY SAID FRAME MEMBER FOR MOTION RELATIVE THERETO, A SOURCE OF ENERGY CONNECTED TO SAID ACTUATING BAR TO BIAS IT IN ONE OF TWO DIRECTIONS, A PAIR OF NOTCHES FORMED IN THE ACTUATING BAR ON THE SAME SIDE THEREOF, A DETENT SUPPORTED BY THE FRAME MEMBER AND FITTING WITHIN ONE OF THE NOTCHES WHEN THE ACTUATING BAR IS IN A FIRST POSITION AND FITTING WITHIN THE OTHER NOTCH WHEN THE ACTUATING BAR IS IN A SECOND POSITION, A LOCKING BAR ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID DETENT AND MOVABLE FROM A FIRST POSITION IN WHICH IT HOLDS THE DETENT IN ONE OF THE NOTCHES TO A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN THE DETENT MAY FREELY MOVE OUT OF THE NOTCHES OF THE ACTUATING BAR, AND MEANS FOR MOVING THE LOCKING BAR FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND POSITION. 